I have been privileged to visit Israel twice.  Both times we took a boat on Galilee.  The first time I was struck by the awe of the place – trying to believe I was actually there, on the lake – and to absorb every moment of the experience.  The second time, I was able to open my heart to Jesus in the now, and, ever-faithful, He came to me across the water.  Perhaps you have been there so you have had your own experience.  Perhaps you have not, and may never get the opportunity to sail on the lake that was so much a part of Jesus’ life.  Whatever the case, I pray that, as you read this post, you too may meet with Jesus on the water.

Meeting at Sunrise

It was still.  The town continued to sleep.  I watched with delight and a deep sense of worship as the sky in the east began to lighten.  The changing colours of the sky were reflected back to God in the still waters of the lake.  Slowly, slowly, the sun rose above the mountains across the water and all was suddenly ablaze with rose and gold and light.  The sun’s rays shone a path across the lake, the stillness and reflections only broken by the passage of a bird winging its way across the surface of the water.  The peace and perfection of the moment made my heart soar and took my breath away.  The gift of such beauty was very precious and spoke to me of the grace and generosity of the Creator God.

The light grew stronger as the sun rose and colours changed to deep blue, dusty orange of distant mountain rock, and verdant green of land brought to life by the river that fed the lake.  Together with my travelling companions we clambered into a boat and chugged out to deeper water.

I stretched my senses to feel the presence of Jesus.  This was His lake, and yet I was not overtly aware of His presence.  But then – then – the boatman turned off the engine and we glided forward, carried by our own momentum, in precious silence.  And there, in the peace of that moment, in the beauty of that place, surrounded by others, and yet curiously solitary, I met Jesus.  His presence was suddenly tangible and I drank in His love for me eagerly.  I know His presence daily in my life – but somehow this was special, as if every fibre of my being stretched towards Him and He reached out and touched every part of me.

For a short while the feeling was electric, vibrant, almost more than I could bear.  Tears of emotion came – not sadness, not even gladness, just an overcoming wonder at the touch of God.  The experience was so intense that it was almost a relief when someone quietly began to sing – her voice beautiful in the silence – and I found myself awed and warmed by the touch of God and worshiped Him as my own voice joined with others and together, the Body of Christ worshipped the Living God.

Ah, Galilee – place of memory – yet another heart was changed by the Christ on your depths.  This time, that heart was mine as my relationship with Christ became a step dearer.  Galilee – place of memory and encounter with the Living Christ.